Randy Bernard: IndyCar's Batman, or another Aquaman?

For decades, no wait, for generations domestic open-wheel racing has shined the Bat Signal on the clouds hovering above its sport, hoping to alert its caped crusader to swoop in and let the inmates running the asylum know what’s up. Many have answered the signal, but they turned out to be Robin or Nightwing – c...

By Chris Gill

The Leader

By Chris Gill

Posted Jun. 3, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 3, 2012 at 3:02 AM

By Chris Gill

Posted Jun. 3, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 3, 2012 at 3:02 AM

Arkham Asylum is a fictional corrections facility where Gotham City’s most twisted criminals are stashed away, so you can imagine what happens when the inevitable prison break happens – complete anarchy. Of course, Batman is called into the madhouse to clean up the mess and set the inmates straight. There really isn’t another viable option for this task because, well, because he’s Batman.

For decades, no wait, for generations domestic open-wheel racing has shined the Bat Signal on the clouds hovering above its sport, hoping to alert its caped crusader to swoop in and let the inmates running the asylum know what’s up. Many have answered the signal, but they turned out to be Robin or Nightwing – capable, but not quite on par with the elusive Dark Knight. Heck, sometimes open-wheel racing is lucky just to have Aquaman show up.

“What qualifies you to take over Indy car racing Mr., um, Aquaman?”

“I’m the world’s best swimmer and I can telepathically communicate with aquatic life.”

“I don’t know how that will, oh heck with it, you’re still the best candidate. You’re hired.”

“I’ll require a pool in my office.”

“Of course you will (facepalm).”

A lot of people hoped and prayed current IndyCar Series CEO Randy Bernard was the right man to bring order to the chaos that seems to constantly swirl around the last really thrilling sport in America. Discord has been the norm since the 1950s, when USAC wrested sanctioning duties from AAA – since there have been seven different such organizations, including three different occasions when two or more acronyms represented open-wheel racing simultaneously.

Since NASCAR was formed in 1948, guess how many different sanctioning bodies have promoted national championship and Daytona 500? If you guessed one, you’re either a knowledgeable race fan or recognize sarcasm.

How has NASCAR’s leadership remained so strong for nearly 70 years, weathering driver strikes, economic turbulence and even insurgencies? (Remember TRAC? No? That’s because it never got off the ground in the shadow of the colossus). NASCAR’s benevolent dictatorship has been able to quash the egos of the drivers and their wealthy car owners, while providing consistent growth and opportunities.

Despite having several CEOs and presidents, Indy car racing is still Arkham Asylum after a prison break.

It came to light last week that a coup d'état from a rebellious group of owners my be afoot to oust Bernard, who Tweeted “It is true that an owner is calling others trying to get me fired.

“I have had several owners confirm this. Disappointing.”

The aforementioned car owners, mostly aligned with Chevrolet which was hit with a slew of technical penalties after qualifying for the Indianapolis 500, are so used to calling the shots in Indy car racing, Bernard’s style towards a dictatorship doesn’t sit well. For all intents and purposes, IndyCar has been on the upswing since 2008 when the rival Champ Car was put down like a lame horse. When Bernard answered the signal on the clouds in 2010, he looked like, finally, the Dark Knight had arrived to put the inmates in their cells. The problem is, and always has been, there aren’t any cells. The owners, many of whom made millions in the private sector as captains of industry, aren’t used to taking marching orders, from anyone.

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Batman may as well be herding cats.

Anyone who watched the Indy 500 last weekend saw one of the all-time classic spectacles with new chassis and engines providing an honestly thrilling event, boasting a record number of leaders and lead changes. The noticeably awesome on-track product aside, numbers in ratings and attendance are up this season. Bernard has secured something no one thought possible in IndyCar – a series sponsor – and has generally busted hump to slowly turn the sport in the right direction. He’s been successful in rounding up the low-level offenders, and pushed the super villains into a corner. Now they’re fighting back.

It makes no sense for a car owner to challenge Bernard given all his accomplishments in just two years, which is the reason for the insane asylum analogy. Yes, a lot of the changes Bernard has made upped the ante for owners – buying brand new cars/parts isn’t cheap – but they were necessary moves to augment the sport. The owners can’t see beyond their own self interests and as a result want to regain control of the asylum.

Only time will tell if Indy-style racing has found its Dark Knight, or just another Aquaman.

Just sayin’: Veteran auto racing reporter Dick Berggren, known mostly by his duties on pit lane for Fox Sports during NASCAR telecasts, will retire following Sunday’s race. Given the lack of insight or original thought from newer bimbo pit lane reporters, this isn’t just a sad note, it’s tragic. You can’t just replace a guy like Berggren. ... Am I the only person who thinks fewer cautions in NASCAR events is a good thing? ... Mitt Romney: A real Amercian leader.

Chris Gill, who covers auto racing for The Leader, can be reached at cmgill@the-leader.com.